Automatic signaling device for linotype-machines.



PATENTED DEC. 22, 1903.

J. BURGER.

'AUTOMATIG SIGNALING DEVICE FOR LINO'IYPE MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.20.1903.

HO MODEL.

I nventor.

Witnesses 3mm Bxmgu LBJ Attorne M. q ZWZIW UNITED STATES Patented December 22, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN BURGER, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 747,53%, dated December 22, 1903.

Application filed March 20, 1903. erial N0. 148,74L7.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN BURGER, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of Providence, in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Signaling Devices for Linotype- Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to certain novel improvements in automatic signaling or indicating devices arranged to warn the attendant or operator when the level of a fluid has reached a predetermined point in the machine or apparatus with which it is combined.

The present invention, however, has for its object the production of simple inexpensive mechanism adapted more particularly to be employed in linotype-machines, so-called, the device in this case being secured to and oscillating or moving with the metal-pot or furnace containing the molten lead or typemetal; and it consists of an apertured case or housing secured to the pot, a verticallymovable float member located in said housing having a stem or rod extending upwardly therethrough and carrying an adjustable contact nut or member and an electric bell or signal capable of being energized by said nut when the level of molten metal in the pot has sunk or fallen to a predetermined or fixed point, all as hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In linotype or other analogous machines as usuallyconstructed and having a heated reservoir of molten metal from which the slugs are formed the operator necessarily makes an inspection of the pots interior from time to time in order to ascertain the level of the fused metal therein and to replenish the reservoir with new metal, it being understood that the variations of the working level should not extend below a certain point. Such interruptions obviously tend to detract the operators attention from the work or copy on which he is engaged. To this should be added the loss of time consumed in making such inspection, dsc.

By means of my improvement the operator need not give any thought whatever to the contents of the supply-reservoir or metal-pot until Warned by an alarm from the previously-adjusted device that the level of the (No model.)

molten metal has been reached and that refilling or replenishing of the pot is necessary.

In the accompanying sheet of drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the metal-pot of a linotype-machine provided with my improvement and also showing portions of the mechanism which operates the pot. Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially through the center of the pot and the float mechanism. Fig. 3 is a side view of the latter, in enlarged scale; and Fig. 4 is a horizontalsectional view taken online l atofFig. 3.

Again referring to the drawings, F indicates a furnace provided with a pot 1), containing the molten lead or type-metal used in casting the slugs. In machines of this class the member F is adapted to oscillate back and forth during the process of forming or casting each slug. To one side of the furnace member is jointed a lever t in engagement with a suitable operating-cam t. The furnace is further provided with a downwardly-extending arm 8, a shaft 8 passing therethrough and forming a fulcrum on which the furnace swings. Within the latter are suitable burners fed by gas introduced through the small bottom tubes g.

The metal-pot p is suitably mounted in the furnace. It is provided with a plunger m, extending downwardly through the top, a cam m, lever m jointed to the plunger, and a spring m 850., being employed as usual to impart the necessary movements to the plunger, while at the same time cooperating with the swinging furnace in order to force metal from the pot into the slug-wheel w and the matrix to form the slugs, all as usual and to which I make no claim.

My invention resides in providing the machine with a signal or indicating device substantially as follows: To the top of the metalpot p is secured a two-arm bracket 0, Fig. 2. The lower arm extends into the pot-chamber and rigidly supports the casing or shell a. The lower portion of the casing is provided with side openings a and is adapted to extend into the molten metal. Within the easing is located a small vertically-movable float member f, directly supported by the fluid metal. The float has a central stem 1) secured thereto, which passes through the top of said casing and through the upper arm of said bracket 0, thus forming a guide for the float. The upper portion of the stem is provided with a contact-collar b,adjustably secured thereto, all as clearly shown. I would state that the pot has a hinged coverp, as common. This latter, however, is cut away to permit the passage of the members 0 and b, as well as for the plunger m, as indicated in Fig. 1. An electric bell or signal h is secured to a bracket h, in turn secured to a portion 7' of the frame of the machine. (See Fig. 1.) The bell as well as a fixed contact-rod c are insulated. from each other and from the bracket by means of interposed non-conducting material 77. The lower part of said rod 0 is bent, its free end being cut away or recessed at 0 Fig. 2, so as to contact with the collar Z) of the float-stem whenever the level of the metal in the pot has been lowered to any predetermined point. (See dotted-line position in Fig. 2.) A batteryt' (or other suitable means) may be employed to furnish an electric current to the bell, the latter being connected therewith and with the rod 0 by suitable conductors, a short conductor uniting the bell and the frame at 72/3, thus completing the electric circuit.

It will be apparent that as the furnace is mechanically oscillated to and fro the normal level of the surface of the molten metal is necessarily changed, thus agitating or imparting a wave-like action to it. This latter effect is neutralized to some extent by means of the apertured casing a, surrounding the float, thereby serving to maintain a practically uniform pressure upon the float and a minimum degree of fluctuation within the casing While the furnace is being actuated.

The normal or rearward position of the furnace, 650., is indicated in Fig. 1, the forward or operative position being attained when the furnace is swung into temporary engagement with the rear side of the slug-wheel w. Thus it will be evident that as drawn the electric circuit cannot become closed to sound an alarm unless the float-rod is in the position represented in Fig. 2, (corresponding to said operative position,) nor even then unless the level of the molten metal has fallen sufficiently to permit the correspondingly-lowered float to bring the collar Z) into engagement with the end 0 of the stationary rod 0'. (See dotted lines.) When the electric circuit is thus closed, the alarm sent out from the bell reminds the operator that the metal-pot needs replenishing with new metal. This latter operation is readily accomplished by opening the pot and dropping therein a quantity of metal, the result being to correspondingly elevate the float and its contact-collar.

I am aware, as hereinbefore stated, that various thermostats, automatic signaling devices, low-water alarms, 6.20., have been devised prior to my present invention. Therefore I do not claim such former construction broadly;butalinotype-machinehaving means connected with the metal-pot to automatically indicate or sound an alarm Whenever the molten metal has been depleted or lowered to a certain extent is, I believe, both new and useful.

Therefore I claim as my invention and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent In a linotype-machine having a metal-carrying reservior capable of oscillatory movement, the combination therewith of a suitably-mounted vertically-movable float member adapted to be supported by the metal in the reservoir and oscillating in unison with it, an apertured casing inclosing the float, a nut or contact member mounted on an extension of the float, and an electrically-connected bell or signal device provided with a pole or contact capable of being made operative by the engagement therewith of said contact member of the float.

Signed at Providence, Rhode Island, this 19th day of March, 1903.

JOHN BURGER.

Vfitnesses:

GEO. H. REMINGTON, REMINGTON SHERMAN. 

